On Saturday, former Tuskegee Airman Herbert Thorpe celebrated his 100th birthday at the First Presbyterian Church in Rome.

“Well, I feel like I’m 100 years old,” Thorpe said. 

It was a day of laughs, sharing memories and smiles for the 100th birthday celebration for Thorpe. Not only was he a Tuskegee Airman, but Thorpe has been a pillar for his community in the city of Rome. He and his late wife, Jessie, founded the Rome Branch NAACP and its Afro-American Heritage Association.

“My grandfather is so loved by the community here in Rome and just Oneida County,” said his first granddaughter, Maisha Sebastiany. “I think turning 100 is a big deal and many people do too.”

Sebastiany and a close family friend put the event together.

“He has been a member of this church, First Presbyterian Church, for over 60 years,” Sebastiany said. “It’s just a wonderful place to be able to celebrate him, just his impact to the community here and not just the local community, nationally.” 

As a Tuskegee Airman, Thorpe was ranked as second lieutenant navigator bombardier. The Tuskegee Airmen were primarily African American male pilots and airmen who fought in World War II.

“We think so highly of him,” said Patt Terrelongue of the Claude B. Donovan Tri-State Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc. “We had so many airmen that group up in New York or moved here after the war. We had approximately 36. Mr. Thorpe is the last member of my chapter.” 

And to put the icing on the cake, Thorpe was honored with a proclamation from Mayor Jacqueline Izzo, declaring Jan. 9, which is his birthday, as Herbert Thorpe Day. 

“Try to do the right thing as much as you possibly can and be as nice of person as you can,” Thorpe said.